Lead Youth Development Specialist-Decker Lake Youth Center

About the role

Full‑time position located at 2310 W 2770 S, West Valley City, Utah 84119. Background check and drug test required. The Department of Health and Human Services, through the Utah Division of Juvenile Justice and Youth Services (JJYS), provides prevention, intervention, supervision and rehabilitation services to youth offenders while assuring public safety.

Responsibilities

• Oversees and works closely with high risk/volatile youth with complex behavioral problems.
• Assesses client physical, mental, social and behavioral needs.
• Develops and implements individualized treatment plans.
• Conducts individual, family, or group counseling sessions in accordance with the established treatment plan.
• Identifies and applies appropriate security, safety, and control intervention techniques.
• Supervises youth with complex behavioral needs.
• Writes court reports, parole summaries, treatment plans and supervision standards.
• Leads or functionally supervises staff; delegates work assignments, monitors/reviews quality of work, schedules staff, provides technical assistance or training, provides input on performance appraisals, hiring and discipline.
• Makes decisions consistent with the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis.
• Transports youth.
• Speaks clearly, concisely and effectively; listens to and understands verbal information.
• Reads and understands written information.
• Has passed the Integrated Crisis Response (ICR) intervention program within 90 days of employment (coordinated by Juvenile Justice).

Qualifications

• Preference may be given to candidates 21 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED.
• Six years of paid working experience with troubled or at‑risk youth; or six years of full‑time education, or a combination of education and experience totalling six years.
• A valid Utah Driver’s License.
• Qualifying work experience includes paid work at any JJYS facility, Utah State Hospital, Utah State Developmental Center, private residential youth programs, alternative schools, juvenile probation/parole, law enforcement, or programs that work with at‑risk or delinquent youths.
• Non‑qualifying work experience: volunteer work with youth and unpaid experience.

Skills

• Clear, concise and effective verbal communication; active listening.
• Ability to read and comprehend written information.
• Knowledge of Applied Behavior Analysis principles for decision‑making.
• Ability to implement security, safety and control interventions.
• Experience supervising staff and providing training/technical assistance.

Benefits

• Eligible for a full benefits package.